Panel key construction



Patented Aug. 21, 1934 PANEL KEY CONSTRUCTION Nils H. Cederquist, Alhambra, Calif.

Application December 1, 1931, Serial No. 578,333

1 Claim.

This invention relates to means for fastening panel units in assembled relation so as to be in alignment and have tightly closed joints at the abutting ends of said units. It appertains more particularly to a key construction for drawing the panels and holding them tightly together in alignment. In the disclosure herein, tile veneered panel units are shown as illustrative of one use of the invention. Such tile units are commonly built up at a factory and the units are assembled on the job to form counters, railings, walls and various fixtures. The work of assembling should be such as not to require skilled workers and the panel fastening means should not be easily subject to damage by those assembling the units. Furthermore, the units and fastening parts should be so arranged that correct assemblage of units is assured. The panels should be tightly drawn together at their joints in alignment and securely maintained in such position with ease of disassembly possible.

The primary object of this invention is to provide such a panel structure meeting the requirements above set forth, simple and economical in construction and easy toinstall and disassemble.

These objects are attained by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a rear view of a panel assembly, there being three units, the end units being fragmentarily shown; Fig. 2 is a section as seen on the plane designated 22 of Fig. 1 and on an enlarged scale; Fig. Q is a section as seen on the plane designated 3-3 in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3 showing a wedge key in its initial position; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a wedge key.

Referring with more particularity to the drawing, the panel units are of similar construction and it will be sufficient to describe one. It comprises a backing slab of wood or like materiaLalthough the invention is not limited to a wooden construction. The backing slab is marked and is shown with a reinforcing stretcher strip 11 se-- cured to the top. At the sides of the panel back and secured thereto are reinforcing strips 12 and 13. The stretcher i1 is formed in sections, the end section being marked 14 and abutting a similar end section 15 on the adjacent panel. At a lower portion of the center panel is a strip 16 which abuts a similar strip 1? on the adjacent panel. The panel units are adapted to have a platform attached to the front and U-straps and wedges indicated by 18 are passed through the backing 10. The panels shown may have a tile veneer face on the front. However, as this forms no element of the present invention, the tiles are not shown or described. The backing slab of an end panel is marked 20. At the face of abutting strips 14 and 15 at the plane of juncture of the strips and the backing slab, a key way is formed by recessing the faces of the strips and extending slots transversely of the strips. The key way is divided into corresponding sections, one in the strip 14 and one in the strip 15, the joint 21 between the panel units being the division plane. Considering the key way as a whole, it is of channel form in cross section and having a web 22 and legs 23 diverging longitudinally. A key, preferably of metal, is marked 24 and corresponds in shape to the key way, its dimensions being such that a wedging action is exerted on the inner wall of the key way legs to draw the units together when the key is driven into place. For removal of the key, after it has been started out of its key way, a hole 25 is provided to receive the pin end of any suitable tool. The strips 16 and 17 are similarly provided with a key way and a key.

In assembling the units they are abutted end to end with strips in registration. The keys 24 are then inserted through the small ends of their key ways, the slots 23 being of such width as to permit entrance. The keys are then driven downwardly so as to draw the units together. Since the web of the key lies in the key way web between the backs of the slabs 10 and 20, and the abutting strips 14 and 15 alignment to produce a flat face is insured. It may be in some instances that an irregular face may be desired at the joints, but it is obvious that the key insures alignment along the panels. Keys are driven in the key ways bringing the units closely together and in alignment with such alignment maintained. Disassembly Y is easy as the keys may be driven out of the key ways. By the construction shown the keys are concealed, there are no protrusions and the panel units are not marred by screw or nail holes which might result'in disturbing the veneer if driven through the units.

What I claim is:

In combination a pair of panel units for end registry and abutment with the units assembled, said units being formed of attached front sections and rear members secured thereto, slots formed at and along the junctures of the front sections and rear members, said slots corresponding in shape and in assembled relation forming a key way at the abutting ends, said key way being transversely of channel form with the legs of the channel diverging longitudinally and open at the small end, and a wedge key of channel form corresponding in shape to the key way and snugly fitted therein against the inner walls of said legs to draw and maintain -said units in alinement, the legs of said key way being of cross-section sufficient to enable said wedge key to be inserted and removed through the small end of said key way. NILS H. CEDERQUIST. 

